Trinidad records/registers 1819 -1828
My gt-gt-grandfather, William BLAND, a millwright from Yorkshire, emigrated to Trinidad sometime between 1819 & 1822.In 1825 he lived in North Naparima and probably had a small sugar plantation there.He wrote home that he had “30 blacks working for him and he said that they worked well if kindly treated. He told his wife that soon he would be in a position to retire.”
According to the family history, written by William’s granddaughter, “six years had passed since Betty (William’s wife) had last seen her husband.They were preparing for her husband's homecoming since his last letter had stated how very rich he now was. (This date should be somewhere between 1819 & 1828.)He wrote in his letter that it had been hard to be away for so long but that it wouldn't be long now before he returned to his home.His secretary - a man named John CLARKE was helping him to settle up his business in Trinidad.
The next news that Betty received was to the effect that her husband had been stricken with Yellow Fever, died and was buried all on the same day and that John CLARKE her husband's trusted secretary had taken everything of value and disappeared.” (Not necessarily true!)
If this is correct, he died between 1825 and, probably, 1828.I have found evidence that a John Clarke had a sugar plantation called Sevilia in the St Joseph quarter in 1828.I believe that this is adjacent to North Naparima.
Why did William seek his fortune in Trinidad?The answer may lie with George BLAND who had a thriving business in Port of Spain at that time.Were they related?Any information about George BLAND, especially relating to his age, place of birth or parentage, would be fantastic!
Basically, I have searched for the date of birth, birthplace and parentage of William BLAND for 23 years and ANY new information would make an elderly man very happy!!
Any help or advice would be much appreciated!!
Malcolm Bland
Yorkshire, England